I’m trying to pull my own Equifax record - the US credit agency can’t because of the ridiculous UK data protection laws. Just getting a login to the site is very difficult. You need several addresses, personal details and financial history. If you mistype your address once they lock your account and require you to call them.

When you have an account and you try to pay, if your credit card address differs in any way from the address you gave them you need to fax them proof of validity (specifically a copy of the credit card and a corresponding statement).

If you log in incorrectly once, they lock your account. When you phone them up to reset the account they send you your passowrd - in the clear, in eMail. It would be slightly more secure to write it on the side of Kylie Minogue just before she plays at Wembly and send you a front row ticket.